Combination of a garment container and a garment suspension means



March 18, 1958 l. RICHER 2,327,160

COMBINATION OF A GARMENT CONTAINER AND A GARMENT SUSPENSION MEANS Filed Jun 28, 1956 2 Shegts-Sheet 1 g-A-A-J-AA INVENTOR AITMNEYJ March 18, 1958 I RICE-HER 2,827,160

COMBINATION OF GARMENT CONTAINER AND A GARMENT SUSPENSION MEANS Filed June 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 2 Irving RICHER Unite rates CQMBENATIGN GE A. GARMENT CGNTAHQER AND A SUSPENSEQN MEANS The invention relates to the combination of a garment container and suspension means as described in the present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially of the novel features of construction as pointed out broadly and specificallyin the claims for novelty following an explanation in detail of acceptable forms of the invention.

The objects of the invention are to device a container that .will hold, clothing throughout shipment or during storage-such a manner that the clothing will require no pressing and may be transferred from the box directly to racks for display and sale or may be worn. immediately by thewearer; to furnish a means for suspending articles such-as clothing within the container; to facilitate the handling and shipping of garments with a minimum .of folding or wrinhing of the same; to avoid garments from becoming badlycreased, soiled or damaged through improper packing of the same in containers; to construct containers of the collapsed type for the purpose of shipment or storage and which will take little room and are easily assembled when required and may be used repeatedly; and generally to provide a container thatwill be durable in construction economical to manufacture and attractive in appearance and efiicient in its use.

A more specific object of the present inventionis the provision of. the combination of a container and a separate suspension unit for suspending articles such as clothing .within thecontainer, said separate suspension unit being insertable through a slit provided in the roof of the container, both said container and suspension unit being made of fibrous material and so arranged that the'roof ofthe container will serve as a reinforcement for the suspension unit to better support the articles hung from saidrinit,

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a suspension unit arranged to be supported in a container, said unit although being made of fibrous material being rigid in both transverse directions relativeto its long axis so that it will not collapseunder transverse forces exerted on the same.

inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view .of the container in its open position for the reception of the garments to be' suspended and illustrating the suspension unit in assembled position.

2,8211 69 Patented Mar-.18, 1958 ice "erected blank of Figure 10. a

Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank for the container as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view as taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the garment suspension unit.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank for the suspension unit.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the blank of the suspension member in partly erected position. Fig. 7 is a crosssection of the blank along line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end perspective view of the blank at a further stage at. 5 and provided byfoldable flaps 6 and 7.

Referring now more particularlyto the drawings in which like reference. characters indicate like elements throughout, the container itself is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and is preferably made from a jsinglejblank of fibrousmaterial such as fiber board; and

has any suitable box-like shape for storage of garments supported byhangers. The container 1 has opposed side walls 2, a bottom wall 3; and a top wall or roof 4, the container further has a closure front generally indicated The roof 4 is provided with-a transverse slit 8 which extends entirely across said roof. 4 and communicates with aligned short slits 9 madein t he.adjacent portions of the side walls}. The slits 8 and 9 are disposed in a comrnon plane when the blank is folded into erected position.

The slit 8, 9 is adapted to removablyreceive a suspension unit generallyindicated at 10. The suspension unit consists of. a one-piece blank of elongated shape as shown inFig. 5. This blank is provided with a centre 'crease linellextending longitudinally of the blank and with two additional crease lines 12 on each side of the centre line 11 and equally spaced therefrom; the blank further has two transverse erease lines 13 near the ends thereof which extend at substantially right angles to the crease lines 11 and 12. The portion of theblank extending betweenthetransverse crease lines 13 form two central rib portions 14.joined together; by the central crease line 11 and defined by said crease line 11 and the crease lines 12. This portionoi the blank further defines two outer flanges 15' connected to thejcentral portions 14 by the crease 1111612.:

The transverse crease lines13. defines flaps 16 and 17 which depend from the central rib portions 14 and outer flanges 15 respectively and whichare separate from each other along lines 18 in alignmentwith the crease lines 11 and 12.

The blank just described for the suspension unit is folded into erected position in the manner shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive. The central rib portions 14 are folded one against the other along the common central crease line 11 to define a rib the two layers of which maybe stapled or. taped togetheralthough, the slit 8, 9 in the roof 4 is generally sufficient to hold them together. The outer flanges 15 are folded downwardly at right- .angles to the rib portions 14 about the crease lines 12 so that the erected suspension memberhas a final T-shaped cross-section providing a transverse leg formed bythe outer flanges 15 in alignment with each other in a common plane, and providing a mainleg formed of a double layer of fibrous material. The flaps 16 depending from the rib portions 14 are folded outwardly at right-angles to said rib portions while the flaps 17 are folded downwardly over the flaps 16 and are secured thereto by means of staples 20 or the like. The overlapping flaps 16 and 17 plus the edges of the slit 8, 9 maintain the blank in its erected final position and also provide abutment members to prevent axial displacement of the suspension unit 10 with respect to the container 1 when the member 10 is assembled with the container 1.

The erected suspension unit 10 is inserted through the slit 8, 9 with the central rib formed by the centre portions 14 engaging through said slit 8, 9 and with the outer flanges 15 resting over and contacting the roof 4 on each side of the slit 8, 9. The flaring end flanges formed by ,the overlapping flaps 17 and 16 engage the outside face of the respective side walls 2 of the container 1. The centre portions14- of the suspension unit are provided with a plurality of spaced holes 2 1 and/or slots 22 adapted to register with each'other when said portions 14 are folded one against the other, for receiving the hook of a garment hanger A as shown in Fig. 3. The slotsv22 and/ or holes 21 permit'adjustable spacing ofthe several garment hangers A in accordance with the various thicknesses of the garments suspended from said hangers.

The suspension unit 10 may be stapled to the side walls struction of its main leg, plus the rigidity maintained by the stapled overlapping end flaps it has been found that the unit is capable, even when made entirely of cardboard, of supporting a plurality of relatively heavy garments Without any necessity for the insertion of metal or Wooden bars. between its two rib portions 14. Moreover, the fact that the end flaps 16, 17 engagethe outer faces of the side .wallsZ, positively prevents any axial displacement of the unit relative to the c ontainer l. Finally it will be seen that because the flanges 15 abut and restjon the roof or top wall 4 said top wall the suspension unit. l

In the above descriptiomit is seen that the suspension un t, accordingtothe present invention, is actually supportedby the side walls of the container, the rib: of the unit en aging the slits 9 opening at' the top edges of the serves as a reinforcement for sidewalls 2 and the outer flanges 15 of theunit resting on Thus, although it has been stated here r inabove that the top wall 4 serves as a reinforcementfor' said: top edges;

the suspension unit, said reinforcement is not essential.

' Figs. 10 and 11 show a modified form of the. suspension unit. The blank for unit 10 is shown in Fig; l() and is provided in the middle thereof. with narrowstrips 24 united together by a longitudinal centre crease line '25 projecting beyond the outer faces of said slit side walls and a horizontal cross leg resting on and overlyingsaid upper edges adjacent said slits, said unit further including integral end flanges at both ends thereof, arranged at substantially right-angles to said main leg and said cross leg and disposed adjacent to and exteriorly of said slit.

side walls, said end flanges consisting of end flaps depending from saidmain leg and said cross leg, the end flaps of said cross leg at each end thereof overlapping and secured with the end flaps of said main leg at each end thereof, said overlapping and secured end flaps defining said end flanges, said end flanges maintaining said cross leg at substantially right-angles to said main leg, said main leg being further provided with spaced apertures made tberethrough for the introduction of garment hangers, said unit so constructed and arranged that it has rigidity in a plane at right-angles to said main leg and in the plane of: said main leg, and a load applied to said mainle'giwill betransferred to said cross'leg and distributed over a substantiallportion of the upper edges of the side walls of said'container. 7 y

2. The combination of a container and a suspension unit, saidcontainerand said suspension unit being made of fibrous .mate'rial, said container having two opposite side walls provided with aligned vertical slits made in the upper portionsfofsaid side walls and opening at the with the vertical niain legofjsaid unit inserted within said.

upper edges thereof, said suspension unit consisting of a one-piece folded blank having a T-shaped cross-section slits and projecting beyond the outer faces of said side walls, and the horizontal cross leg of said T-shaped unit overlying and resting ,on'said upper edges adjacent said slits','said' suspension un'it'further having integral, end

flaps, depending from said main leg and said cross leg, the end flaps of said cross .leg at each end thereof overlapping the end flaps of said rnain leg 'at each end therei of, said overlapping end flaps secured together to define end portions extending at substantially right-angles to e the planes of said main leg and said cross leg and disposed and united to the central rib portions '14 by thelongi l tudinal crease lines 26.

As in the unit 10, the central rib portions united to the outer flanges 15' by the longitudinal crease lines 12;.

Thejtransverse crease lines 13define flaps16'aiid 17' which depend from the ribportions 14' and outer flanges 15 respectively and which areseparate from each other 5 along lines 18? in alignment with the 'creaselines 12. H No flaps depend from the strips 24. Holes 21' and slots 22' are made in the rib portions'l4'l .Q a a V V The unit 10. is folded in thezmanner described for unit 1d and with the strips 24 folded inwardly .to' provide a reinforcement of inverted U-shapedcross-section and disposedbetween theIoverlapping'rib portions 14'. The

hooks of garment hangersj4 are inserted through the registering holes 21? and/or slots 22' over the reinforce- ,ment'as shown in Fig; 11.. a 1 i i While preferredembodiments.in accordance the presentinvention have been illustrated anddescribed it IS understood that various modifications. may be resorted to without departingflfrom the spirit and scope of the appended claims.,,

Whatlclaimis: .l.:r 1. The combinationjof-a container and suspension unit,

said containerra'nd suspension unit; being bothlmade of walls each provided, with a downwardly directed slit opening at the upper edges of saidsidewalls'the' bottom end ofeach slit being atlaflowerlevel than the open end thereof, said suspension unit consisting of an elongated,

separate member disposed across said container and pro- ;yiding a vertical main leg inserted through said slits and 14' are adjacent to and exteriorly of the slit side walls of said container, said secured end portions. maintaining said horizontal cross leg at substantially right-anglesto said vertical main leg, said main leg. further having spaced apertures made tberethrough for the insertion of garment V hangers for supporting garments, said unit having rigidity in a plane at right-anglesto said main leg and in the plane of said main leg, and a load applied'to said main leg willv be transferred to said cross leg and distributed over a substantial portion of the upper edges of the side walls of said container;

3. The combination of a container and of a garment "suspension unit removable therefrom, said, container and unitbeing both made of fibreboard material, said suspen- V 'sion unit comprising a one-piece folded blank defining two ,centraL-elongated rib portions overlapping each i other and joined to each other along a longitudinal edge thereofl'e'ach central rib portion having united therewith along a'crease linelparallel to the joined edge of said central rib portions, a flat outer flange extending out:

7 wardly at substantially..rightwanglesto said central rib portion, said unitlfurther having end flaps depending" from 1 both ends of'said outer-flanges and rib portions, the end flaps of each central rib portion extending outwardly at substantially right-angles thereto and the end flaps of the 1 united outer flange extending downwardly atsusbtantially right-angles to said outer flange, the'end flaps of each Iouter flange and united rib.portion at each end thereof 7 applied one against theother and rigidlyinterconnected,

' fibrous material, 1 said container havingitw'o oppositeiside said interconnected end flaps maintaining each outer flange at substantially right angles to the united rib portion, said rib portions having spaced registering apertures for the insertion of garment hangers for supporting garments, said container having opposite, upright side walls withaligned verticalslits made in said side walls at the upper marginal portions thereof and opening at the upper edges of said side walls, said rib portions of said suspension unit removably inserted through and projecting beyond said slits, said outer flanges of said unit overlying and resting on the upper edges of said side walls adjacent said slits, and said end flaps of said unit diposed adjacent to an exteriorly of the side walls of said container on the sides of said slits, so constructed and arranged that the weight of the garment suspended from said rib portions will be transferred to said outer flanges and distributed over a susbtantial portion of the upper edges of said side walls.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said central rib portions are joined to each other alonga longitudinal edge thereof by means of a strip of inverted U-shaped cross-section which is integrally interconnected with the said longitudinal edges of said central rib portions, and is disposed between said rib portions.

5. The combination of a container and a garment suspension unit removable therefrom, said container and unit being both made of fibreboard material, said suspension unit comprising a one-piece folded blank defining two, central, elongated rib portions overlapping each other and joined to each other along a longitudinal edge thereof by means of a common crease line, each central rib portion having united therewith along a second crease line parallel with said common crease line, a flat outer flange extending outwardly at substantially right-angles to said central rib portion, said unit further having end flaps depending from both ends of said outer flanges and rib portions, the end flaps of each central rib portion ex- 6 tending outwardly at substantially right-angles thereto and the end flaps of the united outer flange extending downwardly at substantially right-angles to said outer flange, the end flaps of each outer flange and united rib portion at each end thereof applied one against the other and rigidly interconnected, said interconnected end flaps maintaining each outer flange at susbtantially right angles to the united rib portion, said rib portions having spaced registering apertures for the insertion of garment hangers for supporting garments, said container having opposite upright side walls with aligned vertical slits made in said side walls at the upper marginal portions thereof and opening at the upper edges of said side Walls, said rib portions of said suspension unit removably inserted through and projecting beyond said slits, said outer flanges of said unit overlying and resting on the upper edges of said side walls adjacent said slits, and said end flaps of said unit disposed adjacent to and exteriorly of the side walls or" said container on the sides of said slits, so constructed and arranged that the weight of the garments suspended from said rib portions will be transferred to said outer flanges and distributed over a substantial portion of the upper edges of said side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,007,697 Usher July 9, 1935 2,561,053 Fallert July 17, 1951 2,752,032 Fish June 26, 1956 2,770,357 Sheard Nov. 13, 1956 U'. s. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION March is, 1958 Patent Not. 2,827,160 Irving Richer It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Let ters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1 line 23, for "(itevice read devise line 25, for

"storage such" read storage in such column 5, line 6, for "an exteriorly read and exteriorly Signed and sealed this 10th day of June 1958,,

Attest:

KARL Ein AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

